SMOG: CAUSE EFFECT SOLUTIONS

  Smog is a combination of the worlds smoke and fog which was invented by a Glasgow public health official, Des Voeux.

   Smog causes a smoky dark atmosphere that decreases the visibility and creates the haze throughout the area. In many areas of the worlds dirtiest cities, millions of inhabitants are threatened by smog.

   Smog is caused by different factors and enters the atmosphere with over 100 chemicals. It includes carbon monoxide, dirt, soot, dust, and ozone. As the sunlight, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides mix together, the smog’s effect was created.

   Automobiles, fires, waste treatment, oil production, industrial solvents, paints and coatings are major producers of smog. There are huge contributors of particles and chemicals tat produces smog.

   The areas that are highly covered with smog severely affect the people. It immediately creates harmful health effects like lung cancer. In cause minor pains like chest pains, cough and throat irritation, because smog irritates and inflames the pulmonary membranes. Even minor exposure of the asthma patients to smog may cause asthma attacks.

   Agriculture is also harmed by smog where soybeans, wheat, tomatoes, peanuts, lettuce and cotton are infected when exposed.

   As smog levels increase, wind could carry it to far areas and harm the people and the ecosystem. But, it could be decreased by limiting the processes that create it.

   Laws could encourage procedure of automobiles to develop cars that produce less smog, watch over chemical companies and restrict them from producing harmful substances and products such as barbecues house paint and kitchen cleaners.

   In United States, the government of Denver Colorado, requested people not use their cars at least once a week, encourage the use of oxygenated fuels and experimented fuels with less smog production.

   Also in Los Angeles the City Council required carpooling offered free bus services and created many environmental friendly regulations for homes.

   Scientists and corporations are testing new fuels from new sources and try to replace other products that creates problems.

   In the future, cities and countries have to acquire the ways in combating smog, hopefully before it create the worst problem that it can bring in the areas.

source: http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/environmental_problems.html